Harness mechanism for looms



April 5, 1955 MOON 2,705,507

HARNESS MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Dec. 7, 19 55 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CLIFFORD G. MOON 22,4 w if/ ATTORNEY United States Patent HARNESS MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Clifford G. Moon, Hopedale, Mass., assignor to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Application December 7, 1953, Serial No. 396,493

8 Claims. (Cl. 139-79) This invention pertains to looms for weaving, and more particularly, to improvements in such looms which relate to an archless loom construction in combination with a harness motion which makes possible the elimination of the conventional arch and its disadvantages, yet provides a very simple shedding or harness cam mechanism adapted to move and maintain the harness frames in perfect alignment.

It is a general object of the invention to devise an archless loom in which power shall be applied to the harnesses from beneath the same and by means of a very simple harness cam and treadle mechanism and which shall maintain the harnesses level, in perfect alignment and impart to them a proper movement while they are suspended from above by a novel archless supporting means.

It is a further object to devise a construction as set forth above in which harness cams are carried directly by the main cam shaft of the loom.

It is a further object of the invention to devise a very simple harness mechanism which shall be suspended from above but which shall not require any of the usual spring devices to effect a return movement complementary to the cam actuated draw-down motion, and which shall function without any tendency or possibility of the harness frames to become misaligned as has frequently been the situation when an attempt has been made to dispense with the arch.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description.

In looms for weaving it has long been realized that certain advantages are realized when the conventional arch is dispensed with, that part of the loom structure acting as a barrier between the front and rear portions of the loom and limiting the view of the weaver and also limiting the possibility of reaching over the harness frames as may well be possible if an arch is not present. In certain mechanisms heretofore devised in which the arch has been dispensed with, special means have had to be provided for maintaining the harness frames level and in parallelism since no interconnection at the top motion between one side and the other leads to a situation in which there is no assurance that frames may not have greater movement at one end than the other thereby causing misalignment, lack of uniformity in their reciprocatory movement incidental to shedding and all the disadvantages and troubles attendant thereon. The harness motion as heretofore employed has been of a type which has not been adapted to maintain the alignment of the frames since the top motion has been depended upon for that.

According to the instant invention, alignment of frames as well as movement thereof is initiated and controlled from below, certain harness cams preferably located on the main cam shaft of the loom being caused to function upon and to reciprocate treadles which are in turn connected, not to the harness frames themselves as is the usual practice, but to a second or auxiliary oscillating shaft which is carried in bearings for maintaining its alignment and which may be adjusted throughout a limited extent vertically in order to position the shaft properly with respect to the treadles and/or with respect to the harness frames to which the shaft is connected. At the top of the frames and attached to the loomsides, is provided bracket means, one at either side, but wholly disconnected or independent leaving the central portion of the loom open thereby to require nothing whatsoever in the nature of an arch. At each of these brackets which actually comprise a multiplicity of parts, a pivot is provided for a pulley means adapted to be freely rotatable on its pivot, said pulley means being connected to suspend the top ends of the harness frames. One frame end is connected to strap or other flexible means which is in turn passed about a pulley while the other frame end at the same side is connected to a similar flexible or strap means which passes about that pulley in the opposite direction so that as one is wound, the other is unwound. The pulley is in effect a stepped one so that the harness frames are given a greater or lesser amplitude of movement in accordance with their proximity to the weaving point. Each of these suspending means is independent of the other and it is entirely due to the control from the auxiliary shaft adjacent the lower part and adjacent the ends of the harness frames that the latter are maintained in alignment and each end of these frames thus has imparted thereto a precise movement which is invariable once the parts have been adjusted, so that the shedding of the warp threads is effected with the desired precision.

The invention will hereinafter be described in greater detail by reference to the accompanying figures of drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a part of a loom to which the invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 is a section taken intermediate the ends of the loom and just to one side of the harness cams showing the disposition of parts incidental to the invention.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the lower portion of the loom frame, cam shaft, harness cams and treadle mechanism showing certain details not particularly evident in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the pivot means and one of the pulleys and strap means attached thereto to which the harness frames are suspended.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing one of the attaching means at either end of the harness frames.

Now referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, enough of a loom has been illustrated to show the application of the invention thereto and in that loom loomsides are evident at 10 and 11, a girt at 12, the main cam shaft at 13 and a pair of harness frames are generally indicated by numerals 14 and 15, these frames being provided with the usual heddles H. These harness frames are adapted to be reciprocated vertically and serve to control the groups of warp threads to change the shed as is required during the weaving process. Cam shaft 13 is rotated positively at a prescribed speed and carries a pair of cams 16 and 17, these being hereinafter denoted as harness cams and having the shape illustrated in Fig. 2, treadles l8 and 19 are pivoted at 20 on abracket 21 attached at the rear of the loom and are adapted to be actuated by the harness cams which engage followers or treadle rollers 22 and 23 which may take any convenient form. The forward ends of these treadles are provided with notches 24 within which may be engaged stirrups 25 and 26. The stirrup 25 is pivotally attached to a flexible connector or strap 27 while the other stirrup 26 is likewise attached to a similar strap or connector 28. These straps 27 and 28 are wrapped in alternate directions about a pulley or pulleys 29 of equal diameter so that the motion of the treadles first oscillates a shaft 30 to which the pulleys 29 are fixed in one direction and then in the other. The amplitude of this oscillating movement may be varied by connecting the stirrups closer or farther from the pivot 20, the plurality of notches 24 being for that express purpose.

The shaft 30 is oscillatable in bearings 31 and 32 which are a part of a complete bracket casting or other equivalent member comprising the vertically bored bosses 33 and 34 and a central strut S. This supporting bearing bracket is clamped by suitable set screws or other means to the rods 35 and 36 which are threaded at their lower ends and are passed through certain holding brackets 37 and 38 which are bolted to the side webs of the middle girts 39 and 40 in turn attached to the girts 12 at the front and 41 at the rear part of the loom. The rods 35 and 36 are held in place and may be adjusted vertically by nuts 42 and 43, these being indicated at the left hand side but not at the right hand side since they are duplicates at either side.

The pulleys 29 are actually a part of a combined collar 44 and the pulley itself a set screw 45 being employed for adjusting the collar and pulley angularly on the shaft 30 thereby to set the initial adjustment of the parts. As before indicated, one of the straps or flexible connectors is wound in one direction of rotation on its particular pulley while the other wound about the adjacent pulley is, of course, passed in the opposite direction so that alternating up and down movements of the treadles rotatle the shaft 30 first in one direction and then the ot er.

The main cam shaft 13 is guided at its central portion in center bearings 46 and 47 which are carried by the samsons 48 and 49, the latter being bolted to the middle girts 39 and 40, this being a more or less common construction in wider looms. The cams are better illustrated in this Fig. 3 as well as in Fig. 2 and the treadles, followers and the pivot means for the treadles may also be seen to better advantage in this figure than in Fig. 1.

At each end of the oscillating shaft 30 there is fixed a stepped pulley 50 the extending hub portion 51 of which is drilled and tapped for a set screw 52 by means of which the pulley is locked in position. The outer step is smaller and accommodates a flexible connector or strap 53 which is attached at a suitable hook or loop at the lower rail of the front harness frame. The rear frame is connected by a similar strap 54 which is passed about the step of larger diameter and in opposite direction to the direction of wrap for the strap 53. Straps 54 and 55 at the opposite side are similarly attached to a stepped pulley 56 which is identical with and attaches to the shaft in the same manner as that just above described. The diameters of the steps are such that the front and rear harness frames which are, of course, spaced at different distances from the fell line may move throughout the proper amplitude during their reciprocation to govern the shedding of the warp threads thereby to provide a smooth and properly timed warp shedding motion.

At the top of each loomside 10 or 11 there is bolted an angular bracket 57 at one side and 58 at the other these brackets being shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and a part thereof to an enlarged scale in Fig. 4. Each bracket terminates at its inner end in a circular boss 59 which is centrally bored for the reception of a bent spindle 60 the upper portion 61 of which is horizontally disposed and set to project forwardly over the outer upper ends of the harness frames as shown in Fig. 1. The vertically disposed portion 62 of this bent spindle is clamped by means of set screws in the bore at the central part of the boss and is adjustable vertically for initial setting of the parts and for varying their position at times thereafter by means of a central adjusting screw 63 held in place by a lock nut 64. This screw passes through the bottom portion of the boss and bears against the under surface of the vertical extension 62. This construction is the same at either side of the loom except that the brackets 57 and 58 are rights and lefts, the

* pads by which they are attached to the loomsides being elongated as shown in Fig. 2 so as to provide a substantial support.

Stepped pulleys generally designated by numeral 65 are freely rotatable on the horizontal extensions 61 of the bent spindles and these support the harness frames through connectors or straps 66 and 67 which are wrapped about the stepped portions of the pulleys just as were the similar members at the lower part of the harness mechanism. These straps connect by hooks such as the hook 68, Fig. 5, to a more or less universally applicable connecting means which comprises a channel member having side plates 69 and 70 and a web 71 by means of which they are attached at the upper edge of the top rail of the harness frame. Pins in the form of rivets or the like and indicated by numerals 72 and 73 pass through the side plates 69 and 70 and the hook 68 is in the particular form shown in Fig. 5 attached at the outer pin 72. The inner pin 73 is employed for attaching that hook which is associated with the flexible connector 66 which is spaced slightly farther inwardly from the outer edge of the harness frame as shown in Fig. 1. Thus these connecting means at the upper rails of the frames serve to attach a frame either at the forward or the rear position so that it is not necessary to select a particular frame for a particular position and the same may be interchanged if desired.

Each stepped pulley 65 is held in position axially on its extension 61 by means of a washer 74 and cotter pin 75 at the rear of the pulley while forward movement is limited by means of a collar 76 retained in position by a set screw 77. Lubrication may be provided through a fitting 78 and the conventional lubricant channels extending therefrom to the central bearing portion of the shaft. A bushing may and preferably is to be employed and in certain in stances it may be desirable to utilize a self-lubricating type of bushing thereby dispensing with the necessity of frequent applications of lubricant.

As may be seen, the central upper part of the loom is entirely unimpeded by anything in the nature of an arch since there is no structural member between the bosses 59 and thus to all intents and purposes, the loom is an archless loom and yet it employs more or less conventional treadle and cam means functioning positively in one direction only. With the simple two shade construction illustrated, it is unnecessary to provide a separate harness cam shaft and harness cams themselves are very effectively operated as a part of the main cam shaft. The movement of the harness frames is dependent upon no spring return and thus is positive and very accurately determined.

The term strap has been used to denote the usual flexible connector, but it is to be understood that cords,

tapes, cables and the like may be used and the terms herein used in the specification and claims are to be understood to include all of these. While the cams are preferably to be rotated as a part of the main cam shaft of the loom, it is to he understood that an auxiliary cam shaft may be used if desired.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a loom the combination of a cam shaft, a pair of harness frames, pivoted treadles, one for each frame, and cams on said shaft and followers carried by said treadles, a shaft supported beneath said frames and means connecting said treadles and shaft for oscillating the latter, means for conveying the oscillating motion of the shaft to said harness frames at each end of said frames, and an archless frame suspending means which comprises a pivot above and adjacent the frame ends, rotating pulleys carried by each pivot and flexible connectors passed about said pulleys and attached to their respective frame ends.

2. In a loom the combination of a cam shaft, a pair of harness frames and pivoted treadles, one for each frame, cams fixed to said cam shaft and a cooperating follower on each treadle, a shaft and means for rotatably supporting said shaft adjacent the cam shaft, a pulley and strap connection between said shaft and treadles for imparting an oscillating motion to the shaft from the reciprocation of the treadles, other pulley and strap connections adjacent the ends of the shaft and harness frames for imparting the oscillations of the shaft to the frames for reciprocating them, and an archless harness frame suspending means which comprises a pivot above and adjacent the frame ends, rotating pulleys carried by each pivot and flexible connectors passed about said pulleys and attached to their respective frame ends.

3. In a loom the combination of a cam shaft, a pair of harness frames and pivoted treadles, one for each frame, cams fixed to said cam shaft and a cooperating follower on each treadle, a shaft and means for rotatably supporting said shaft adjacent the cam shaft, a pulley and strap connection between said shaft and treadles for imparting an oscillating motion to the shaft from the reciprocation of the treadles, other pulley and strap connections adjacent the ends of the shaft and harness frames for imparting the oscillations of the shaft to the frames for reciprocating them, and an archless harness frame suspending means which comprises adjacent each frame end an upright bracket and horizontally disposed pivot, a pulley rotatable on each pivot and strap connectors from each pulley to the top ends of the frames so disposed as to permit reverse reciprocation of the frames and to maintain tension against the downward pull exerted by the said treadles.

4. In a loom the combination of a cam shaft, a pair of harness frames and pivoted treadles, one for each frame,

cams fixed to said cam shaft and a cooperating follower on each treadle, a shaft and means for rotatably supporting said shaft adjacent the cam shaft, a pulley and strap connection between said shaft and treadles for imparting an oscillating motion to the shaft from the reciprocation of the treadles, other pulley and strap connections adjacent the ends of the shaft and harness frames for imparting the oscillations of the shaft to the frames for reciproeating them, and an archless harness frame suspending means which comprises an independent bracket at each side of the loom and adjacent the harness frame ends, a horizontally disposed, forwardly directed spindle means fixed in each said bracket, a stepped pulley freely rotatable on each spindle means, and strap means wrapped about each pulley and connected to the adjacent end of its respective harness frame.

5. In a loom the combination of a cam shaft, a pair of harness frames and pivoted treadles, one for each frame, cams fixed to said cam shaft and a cooperating follower on each treadle, a shaft and means for rotatably supporting said shaft adjacent the cam shaft, a pulley and strap connection between said shaft and treadles for imparting an oscillating motion to the shaft from the reciprocation of the treadles, other pulley and strap connections adjacent the ends of the shaft and harness frames for imparting the oscillations of the shaft to the frames for reciprocating them, and an archless harness frame suspending means which comprises an independent bracket at each side of the loom and adjacent the harness frame ends, a horizontally disposed, forwardly directed spindle means fixed in each said bracket, a pulley having two steps of different diameter freely rotatable on each spindle means, a strap attached to one step of said pulley and wrapped about it in one direction connected to the adjacent end of its respective harness frame and a second strap attached to the other step of said pulley, said strap being wrapped about said pulley in a direction opposite to the direction of wrap of the strap first mentioned and connected to the adjacent end of its respective harness frame.

6. In a loom the combination of a cam shaft, a pair of harness frames and pivoted treadles, one for each frame, cams fixed to said cam shaft and a cooperating follower on each treadle, a shaft and means for supporting said shaft above said treadles and beneath the harness frames, pulley means adjacent the center of said shaft and oppositely wrapped straps attached to said pulley means each said strap being connected to a treadle, stepped pulleys adjacent the ends of said shaft and oppositely wrapped straps attached to said stepped pulleys and further being connected to the ends of their respective harness frames, and an archless harness frame suspending means which comprises a pivot above and adjacent the frame ends,

rotating pulleys carried by each pivot and flexible connectors passed about said pulleys and attached to their respective frame ends.

7. In a loom the combination of a cam shaft, a pair of harness frames and pivoted treadles, one for each frame, cams fixed to said cam shaft and a cooperating follower on each treadle, a shaft and means for supporting said shaft above said treadles and beneath the harness frames, pulley means adjacent the center of said shaft and oppositely wrapped straps attached to said pulley means each said strap being connected to a treadle, stepped pulleys adjacent the ends of said shaft and oppositely wrapped straps attached to said stepped pulleys and further being connected to the ends of their respective harness frames, and an archless harness frame suspending means which comprises an independent bracket at each side of the loom and adjacent the harness frame ends, a horizontally disposed, forwardly directed spindle means fixed in each said bracket, a pulley having two steps of different diameter freely rotatable on each spindle means, a strap attached to one step of said pulley and wrapped about it in one direction connected to the adjacent end of its respective harness frame and a second strap attached to the other step of said pulley, said strap being wrapped about said pulley in a direction opposite to the direction of wrap of the strap first mentioned and connected to the adjacent end of its respective harness frame.

8. In a loom the combination of a cam shaft, a pair of harness frames, pivoted treadles, one for each frame, and cams on said shaft and cooperating followers carried by said treadles, a shaft supported for rotation between said treadles and harness frame and flexible tape and pulley means for imparting movements of the treadles to the shaft for oscillating it, and means comprising stepped pulley and flexible tape means wrapped about and connected to said pulleys and to the harness: frames for converting the oscillating motion of the shaft to a reciproca- Eory one and imparting said reciprocations to said harness rames.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 789,845 Draper May 16, 1905 2,596,177 Schiavon "May 13, 1952 2,681,079 Picanol June 15, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 407,317 Italy Sept. 28, 1944 447,666 Great Britain May 22, 1936 661,387 Great Britain Nov. 21, 1951 846,764 France June 12, 1939 

